Airline Security versus the Atwood Prybaby

[knightrider]

So I'm flying out tomorrow and I removed my Mini-Prybaby. I don't want to risk having it confiscated. Does anyone have any experience with Prybabies and airline security? I would love to bring it along with me, but don't want to risk loosing it!

[7k7k99]

I wouldn't want to risk it, they might look at it like you might want to pry open the cockpit door, I don't know how you could justify needing that on the plane :(

[LowWorm]

I can see it being made into a movie..."Prybabies on a Plane!" Starring Peter Atwood as Chuck Norris. Prying something serious.

[Deaths Head]

I think you'd be fine. They are allowing some knives now right? Why not something that looks like a bottle opener to the untrained eye. But there is that slim chance that it will be confisted, so we're back to square one.

[TendonCutter]

Yesterday I flew and I walked through the metal detector with my Ti Baby and Ti Luminox without setting it off.

And it was LAX (Los Angeles) so the security was pretty tight.

One more thing, you are allowed to carry tools under 7" but no knives.

So, don't worry at all.

[webley445]

If worried pack it in a suitcase?

[deeker]

I forgot and left my Benchmade Rescue Hook on my belt flying from Flint to Las Vegas. No problem flying there. On the way home we got selected for the 'random high-security check' and it went through x-ray without a second look. Granted, it looks like a goofy bottle opener, but it can hook and cut.

YMMV...

[TendonCutter]

You can carry any knife in your checked baggage. You can even carry firearms if you declare them.

[carpdiem]

Yesterday I flew and I walked through the metal detector with my Ti Baby and Ti Luminox without setting it off.

And it was LAX (Los Angeles) so the security was pretty tight.

One more thing, you are allowed to carry tools under 7" but no knives.

So, don't worry at all.



I fly through LAX all the time, and their lack of security scares me. Though it's big and crowded, LAX probably has some of the worst security screeners I've ever seen at an airport. I've seen a spyderco endura accidentally carried through the security checkpoint inside a piece of carry-on luggage. The carry-on (it was a shoulder bag, not even a very big one) went through the x-ray machine without a second glance.

[kennyj]

To be fair, given just how much crud they might have to look past to find a knife, I think it's quite likely that all kinds of stuff gets through on a constant basis. Still, I don't worry about the knife nut who forgot to leave his Spyderco folder on the nightstand; I worry about the nutjob with the Glock, and those are a lot easier to spot.

[Deaths Head]

Yesterday I flew and I walked through the metal detector with my Ti Baby and Ti Luminox without setting it off.

And it was LAX (Los Angeles) so the security was pretty tight.

One more thing, you are allowed to carry tools under 7" but no knives.

So, don't worry at all.


Just curious. What's a Ti Baby?

[Badgerboy]

Consider not only where you're flying out of but where you're returning from. SWMBO and I took a trip to sunny Cal a year ago and she managed to slip a SAK Classic through Boston but got caught on the return flight from LAX. She didn't even know she had it with her. She had removed her EDC SAK Classic and didn't think that she had acquired two of them in her purse.

Cliff

[Peter Atwood]

Paul, he means Titanium Prybaby or "Tibaby" for short. I have called them that all along, pay attention! :P :laugh:

[knightrider]

I didn't risk bringing it attached to my keychain. And I was worried about it getting stolen from my check in bag, so I was Prybaby-less. I think I'll risk it next time, but I really didn't want to loose my Mini to some security guard that wouldn't appreciate it.

On a side note - for the grooms men, we all got SAKs for presents from the groom. Put it in my check in and said a prayer that it wouldn't get swapped and it didn't! Next time I'll be a little less worried about things getting taken.

So titanium slips right through security checkpoints? Kind of frightening that knife made of ti could slip through. Is this true?

[kennyj]

I dunno... Being non-magnetic, Ti would probably slip right past a number of metal detectors. However, titanium does have one drawback in terms of blade construction - it's not very hard. The best alloys approach 50RC. Obviously still sharp enough for many tasks and more than capable of stabbing, but not as scary as the 58-60RC steels we're accustomed to thinking of as sharp.

I'd actually worry more about the hard plastic knives like these: http://www.selfdefenseproducts.com/nfk.htm Obviously very poor cutting performance, but you can clearly stab effectively, and one of these would be VERY hard to spot if well concealed. X-rays could probably see it, but that's it, whereas I'm sure Ti can be electronically detected in some way or another.

[Sharpdogs]

I would not risk it. I just got back from a trip. Airline security confiscated my syringes, even though I am a diabetic and had a prescription and letter from my doctor. They said if I needed the syringes I would have ask the stewardess. They gave them back to me with 20 minutes left in the flight.

[bigfoot]

I sure wouldn't try to bring anything as a carry-on now, after the foiled terrorist plot in the UK. They aren't even allowing any liquids or gels past security checkpoints.

Just check it or ship it to yourself ahead of time. I've checked my Leatherman a few times and never had any problems.

[greenLED]

I dunno... Being non-magnetic, Ti would probably slip right past a number of metal detectors.It doesn't matter if it's magnetic or not when X-rays are used. Even ceramic compounds can be detected nowdays.

[Jumpmaster]

Couldn't you just pocket a Ti one and walk through the metal detector with it?

JM-99

[Deaths Head]

Forget it now. Besides, you don't need it on the plane anyways. I wouldn't take a chance at all now.

[Jumpmaster]

Forget it now.* Besides, you don't need it on the plane anyways.* I wouldn't take a chance at all now.*


So they're going to start patting down everyone???

I don't think I'll be flying anymore...I can't imagine how much longer that will take.

I think folks aren't counting on needing it on the plane, but after they arrive at their destination and not wanting to put it in checked baggage. I had some TSA monkey go through my duffle bag on the way to Las Vegas and total ransacked it. Fortunately, I didn't have anything valuable in there waiting to be "confiscated"...:(

JM-99

[kennyj]

I've heard something to the effect of increased restrictions on handheld electronic devices as well. I wonder how long it'll be before anger over the security checkpoints becomes a bigger issue than fear of terrorism... of course, since this is all done to "protect" us, the ******* will still swallow that pill gleefully.

[Lunal_Tic]

Besides, you don't need it on the plane anyways.


I've had a lot of people say that to me about flashlights too but I still prefer to have one or two on me. You never know what might come up. Stuck bathroom door, jammed seat belt, or something else that needs a bit more force than you can provide barehanded. Better to have and not need . . .


-LT

[knightrider]

-

[knightrider]

-

[pipedreams]

Airline Security versus the Atwood Prybaby is the topic. Keep it that way, please.

todd :sam:

todd

[jggonzalez]

I'll volunteer to be a guinea pig. I'm flying to The People's Republik of Kalifornia next week and will put a Mini Prybaby on my keychain. Let's see what happens...

[Lunal_Tic]

Take a SASE with you in case there's a problem hopefully they'll let you mail it rather than taking it from you.

-LT

[7k7k99]

I'll send a SASE with my address* ;D

[Lunal_Tic]

I'll send a SASE with my address ;D


Funny guy :P

-LT

[jggonzalez]

Just saw this quote in a news article today:

"Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff reassured people things would only go so far.

"I don't see us moving to a total ban on hand baggage at this point," he told ABC's "This Week" on Sunday.

Chertoff said the government was putting "less emphasis on the nail clippers and the nail scissors" and more on training additional screeners "specifically to look for modern-type detonation equipment that might be concealed in baggage."

Sounds like a Prybaby or Keyton wouldn't really be noticed. I'll post Wednesday night and let everyone know what happens to my Mini Prybaby. Wish me luck.

[scríbhneoir]

Sounds like a Prybaby or Keyton wouldn't really be noticed. I'll post Wednesday night and let everyone know what happens to my Mini Prybaby. Wish me luck.


Bon chance!

[Lunal_Tic]

jggonzalez, Good luck. *We look forward to your report. *Thanks for testing this for us.

-LT

[Deaths Head]

I think you will be hassled. It just doesn't give the appearance of a weapon or something that can be used as a weapon. But I could be wrong though, nail clippers seems to still be a concern for some reason.

[greenLED]

IIRC, nail clippers are only a concern when they have a blade (dull as they are).

[pipedreams]

Good luck. I don't think you'll have any problem.

todd

[Badgerboy]

IIRC, nail clippers are only a concern when they have a blade (dull as they are).

Remember....getting clipped to death is no laughing matter. Takes about seven hours. :laugh: ;D

Cliff

[Peter Atwood]

LMAO, I hate when that happens! :laugh: :lolhammer:

[jggonzalez]

I tried carrying my Keyton onboard. Figured it was closer to the *******'s concept of an "improvised weapon" than the mini prybaby because its longer and pointier. They stopped me and flagged me for extra searching because another "Joe Gonzalez" is on a list somewhere, but didn't give the Keyton a second glance. I think this means our non-edged Atwood toys are safe. I'm going to fly back through San Jose and they're a little more paranoid, so I'll see what they say.

[scríbhneoir]

Thanks for the update!

[peacefuljeffrey]

I would not risk it.* I just got back from a trip.* Airline security confiscated my syringes, even though I am a diabetic and had a prescription and letter from my doctor.* They said if I needed the syringes I would have ask the stewardess.* They gave them back to me with 20 minutes left in the flight.



Well, naturally, if you were inclined to terrorism or violence, there is no way you could have caused any problem with your syringes during the LANDING PORTION OF THE FLIGHT!!* *>:(

Just what are the morons in charge of our "security" thinking?!

"Oh, stewardess, I do need my syringes now, please..."* and then, "Okay, everyone, now that I have my syringes, if you don't take this plane to Cuba, I'll inject this stewardess with my insulin!"* *:(

If there was a threat to be effected by a violent person with a set of syringes such as yours, why is it okay with airline security for you to have them during the most crucial portion of the flight?!* >:(

Now, as far as a Prybaby is concerned, if they're worried about syringes, which as weapons would have to be considered pretty damned nonlethal, I don't know why they're not concerned about something that has a tapered, although unsharpened, edge.


Does anyone know if the pseudo-prybabies (you know, the ubiquitous $4 chopped-down Craftsman bars and stuff) with a ground prying edge are enough to get a passenger hassled?


-Jeffrey

[Badgerboy]

Well, that's a relief. You don't know how many times I've worried about someone sneaking up on me, in flight and shooting me up with Insulin - with one of those "Assault Syringes", you know...the black ones ? :help:

Cliff

[Ging]

As the security is so tight here (in the UK) after the failed terrorist plot I would not risk it. I was patted down a month ago and that as before the failed terrorist plot.


I wonder how long it'll be before anger over the security checkpoints becomes a bigger issue than fear of terrorism...
This as all ready become an issue in the UK. As the terrorist 'failed' to create 'real' terror, the attempt has coursed more problems for everyone by reducing what you can carry on and increasing the number of patting downs given.